Marilyn Monroe leaving Michigan Avenue

May 01, 2012

The Forever Marilyn statue in Pioneer Court depicts Marilyn Monroe, with closed eyes, attempting to push down her dress, which has blown upward — a reference to a famous scene in her 1955 movie “The Seven Year Itch.” (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune)

Soon Chicagoans and tourists will no longer be able to take a picture with pop culture icon Marilyn Monroe along Michigan Avenue.

The Forever Marilyn sculpture that stands in Pioneer Court will be removed Monday, the nonprofit group that owns the statue has announced late yesterday.

The statue depicts Monroe, with closed eyes, attempting to push down her dress, which has blown upward — a reference to a famous scene in her 1955 movie "The Seven Year Itch."

The 40,000-pound sculpture by American artist Seward Johnson was unveiled in July in Pioneer Court.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the variety of reactions to the sculpture," Johnson said in a statement from the Sculpture Foundation. "The city of Chicago is richly appreciative of public art in all its forms and is a model for other cities to follow."

The arrival of Forever Marilyn caused a stir among local critics, with some arguing that groups of onlookers taking pictures with her exposed legs was a throwback to sexist times. The statue also gained the attention of vandals.

"It is a conversation-starter," said Jenee Castellanos, associate curator of the Sculpture Foundation. "Part of the reason why the artist creates work is for people to think about what they are seeing and what it means to them."

Castellanos said the nonprofit plans to announce the next location for the sculpture within a few weeks. "We wanted to give (people) an opportunity to see her, if they haven't already," she said.